We're thrilled to share that the Westchester County Board of Legislators is celebrating Jewish History & Heritage Month by honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions of DOROT Westchester and declaring May 11, 2021 DOROT Day in Westchester County.
Read the full press release below:
BOARD HONORS DOROT WESTCHESTER, HILLELS OF WESTCHESTER IN JEWISH HISTORY & HERITAGE CEREMONY Westchester Jewish Council Joins BOL for Annual Event
White Plains, NY —
The Westchester County Board of Legislators on Monday celebrated Jewish History and Heritage Month with a special video ceremony, in conjunction with the Westchester Jewish Council, honoring two organizations for their important community work, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Board Chair Ben Boykin (D – White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison) presented a proclamation to DOROT Westchester, the Westchester chapter of the New York City-based organization.
For more than 15 years, DOROT Westchester’s team of social workers and volunteers has served hundreds of older adults in the County with an array of outreach programs to keep them from becoming isolated. During the COVID pandemic, the organization moved quickly to establish telephone and online outreach, bringing learning, intergenerational and other programs online, and providing tech tutors to help older adults adjust to new ways of staying connected.
Cippi Harte, DOROT Westchester’s director, accepted on behalf of the organization. Harte said, “This year has been exceptionally challenging for everyone. Older adults have been at great risk for COVID-19 and have been isolated for more than a year. Our efforts to keep them connected and engaged have been, in my humble opinion, remarkable.”
She added, “On behalf of my community of outstanding social workers, tireless volunteers, generous donors, and the more than 400 older adults we serve in Westchester County, a very big thank you to the Board of Legislators and Westchester Jewish Council for honoring us during Jewish History and Heritage Month.”
The Board has declared May 11, 2021 DOROT Day in Westchester County.
Watch the presentation to DOROT Westchester HERE.
Legislator Nancy Barr (D - Harrison, Rye Brook, Port Chester) presented a proclamation honoring Hillels of Westchester, a local, grassroots organization that supports Jewish life for students on college campuses including Manhattanville College, Pace University - Pleasantville, Purchase College SUNY, Sarah Lawrence College and Westchester Community College.
Accepting on behalf of Hillels of Westchester was the organization’s Executive Director, Rachel E. Klein.
Klein said, “It is my distinct honor to accept this recognition on behalf of the board, students, staff and loving community surrounding Hillels of Westchester. Thank you Legislator Barr, thank you Elliot Forchheimer and the Westchester Jewish Council for the nomination and for your championship of Hillel and the entire Westchester community.”
She added, “Every day, by campus or by Zoom, the talented Hillel staff pursue our mission to inspire every Jewish college student, and every student to enrich the world by helping them practice values-based, compassionate, and challenging adulting through a Jewish lens. Hundreds of young adults who choose Westchester for college have been positively impacted, their trajectories changed, their lives enriched because Hillel connected them with the vibrant Westchester community.”
The Board has declared May 12, 2021 Hillels of Westchester Day in the County of Westchester. Watch the video presentation HERE.
Read a program for Monday night’s event HERE.